Mountable, afocal adaptor for a camera

ABSTRACT

In some implementations a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera includes an attachment plate affixed to the front of a camera housing of a camera and an afocal optical module. The afocal optical module is configured to convert a received optical image to a converted optical image for use by the camera. The afocal adaptor also includes a rotation mechanism with a rotation ring and a wave spring clamp, the rotation ring affixed to the attachment plate and the wave spring clamp affixed to the afocal optical module. The rotation ring and wave spring clamp are mounted relative to each other to rotate around a rotational axis aligned with an axis of an optical path formed between the afocal optical module and the attachment plate and aligned with a view axis of the camera. The rotation mechanism also permits rotation of the camera housing around the rotational axis relative to the afocal optical module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/791,954, entitled “Mountable, Afocal Adaptor for A Camera” filed onJul. 6, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/094,320 entitled “Mountable, Afocal Adapter for a Camera” filedon Dec. 2, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera.Recording or wirelessly transmitting image data, for example image datafrom long-range optical monitoring equipment such as firearm scopes andspotting scopes, typically requires an expensive custom camera solution.Custom camera solutions can be difficult to maintain and can quicklybecome technologically obsolete with advancements in camera technology.Additionally, custom camera solutions can be inflexible as to mountingoptions, for example on common accessory rails used on apparatuses suchas firearms, tripods, camera stands, and other things. Attempting tomount a custom camera solution to, for example an accessory rail, canalso result in, among other things, camera orientation problems and sizeissues for an intended purpose.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera(“afocal adaptor”) according to an implementation.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the mountable afocal adaptoraccording to an implementation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an attachment plate mounted to a camerahousing according to an implementation.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the exploded view of the mountableafocal adaptor of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the exploded view of the mountableafocal adaptor of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a rotation ring of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7A is a right side view of the mountable afocal adaptor accordingto an implementation.

FIG. 7B is a left side view of the mountable afocal adaptor according toan implementation.

FIG. 7C is a top view of the mountable afocal adaptor according to animplementation.

FIG. 7D is bottom view of the mountable afocal adaptor according to animplementation.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of amountable afocal adaptor according to an implementation.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates to a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera Thedetails of one or more implementations of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the following description and theaccompanying drawings to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art topractice the disclosed subject matter. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter will become apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims. Various modifications,alterations, and permutations of the disclosed implementations can bemade without departing from scope of the disclosure. Thus, thedisclosure is not intended to be limited to the described and/orillustrated implementations, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

An afocal system is formed by the combination of two optical focalsystems. Described is a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera thatallows for the use of the output of one optical focal system (afocaloptical module) by the optical focal system of the camera. For example,the lens of the camera can be mounted in such a way to take the place ofa human eye in relation to the eye piece of an afocal optical module,such as a firearm scope, spotting scope, telescope, and/or night-visionequipment. In the case where the camera is a similar to a GOPROHERO-type camera with an input field-of-view of one-hundred thirty-fivedegrees and the afocal optical module is a firearm scope with afield-of-view output of 22 degrees and a certain eye relief, the afocaladaptor will convert the equivalent optical output of the firearm scopeto be useable by the optical focal system of the camera.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view 100 of a mountable afocal adaptor for acamera (“afocal adaptor”) according to an implementation. While theillustrated afocal adaptor is shown with particular markings (e.g.,“20×” and double rotation arrow), any such markings are for illustrativepurposes only and are not meant to limit the afocal adaptor in any way.In some implementations, the afocal adaptor 100 includes a camerahousing 102, attachment plate 104, rotation mechanism 106, and afocaloptical module 108. The afocal optical module 108 also is configuredwith a mounting mechanism 110 acting as an interface for mounting theafocal adaptor 100 onto a mounting apparatus, such as a firearm, atripod, a fence, a building, or a vehicle. In some implementations, themounting mechanism 110 can be for mounting the afocal adaptor 100 to amounting structure/bracket such as a camera tripod bracket or anaccessory rail. Accessory rails include WEAVER-, PICATINNY- (also knownas a MIL-STD-1913, STANAG 2324, or “tactical”) or other type rails. Inother implementations, the mounting mechanism 110 can be configured toallow mounting of the afocal adaptor 110 to any other object, structure,and/or mechanism. In some implementations, the mounting mechanism 110can be configured to be held by a human hand.

The camera housing 102 can be a primary housing configured to at leastpartially enclose inner components (e.g., lens assembly, electronics,battery, and the like) of an optical image device, such as a still-,digital-, video-, and/or other type of camera (hereinafter “camera”). Insome implementations, the camera housing 102 can be a supplementalhousing configured to enclose or semi-enclose and secure the camera(i.e., the primary housing and associated components of the camera). Insome implementations, the camera housing 102 can have a hermetic seal toprotect an enclosed camera from water, dirt, sand, and/or othersubstances. The camera housing 102 can also protect an enclosed camerafrom temperature fluctuations, physical shock, and the like. An examplecamera housing 102 can include a primary or supplemental housing usedfor the GOPRO HERO-type camera. Note that the illustrated camera housing102 reflects a supplemental-type housing with other features, such as amounting bracket 103 a and control/access port covers (e.g., 103 b-103d), that are not discussed in this specification. The camera housing 102need not completely enclose the camera to be within the scope of thisdisclosure. Other camera-type housings are considered to be within thescope of this disclosure.

The attachment plate 104 is a structure adapted to be secured to thecamera housing 102 (either to a primary or supplemental housing). Intypical implementations, the attachment plate 104 is secured to thecamera housing 102 using a plurality of screw fasteners. In otherimplementations, the attachment plate 104 can be secured to the camerahousing 102 using adhesives, clamps, or other securing method. Theattachment plate 104 is configured to provide a precise and secureinterface between the camera housing 102 and the rotation mechanism 106and to provide an attachment point for the rotation mechanism 106. Referto FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 for additional detail.

The rotation mechanism 106 is configured to provide a precise and secureoptical/afocal and mechanical/rotational interface between theattachment plate 104 and the afocal optical module 108. The rotationpoint is at the interface between the attachment plate 104 and therotation cover 204.

In some implementations, the rotation mechanism 106 is configured withan interlock assembly to allow the camera housing to be rotated in setangular increments, for example ninety-degree increments/“clicks” ineither rotational direction. The rotation allows the afocal opticalmodule 108 to be mounted at any angle to some mounting apparatus, forexample a camera tripod, and for the camera housing 102 to be rotated sothat the received image is recorded by a camera within the camerahousing in a right-side-up aspect as opposed to a sideways orupside-down aspect. In some implementations, the rotation mechanism 106can allow more precise rotation of the camera housing 102, for example,in single degrees or some other more granular degree increment.

In typical implementations, the afocal optical module 108 is ahigh-magnification optical device based on a NAGLER-type principle thatreduces a received optical image from a greater field-of-view to areduced field-of-view. For example, the afocal optical module 108 canreduce a received one-hundred thirty-five degree field-of-view to a fourdegree field-of-view while magnifying the image to between twenty andsixty times. These field-of-view/magnification values are for examplepurposes only and, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art,the afocal-optic can be configured to perform a multitude of variousoptical conversions, magnifications, etc. depending upon a particularneed/usage. In other implementations, the afocal optical module 108 canhave other functionality. For example, the afocal optical module 108 canbe a firearm scope, spotting scope, telescope, and/or night-visionequipment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the afocal optical module 108 isstand-alone in that it incorporates all necessary conversion optics toconvert a received optical image for use by a camera.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view 200 of the mountable afocal adaptoraccording to an implementation. The exploded afocal adaptor 100 includesthe camera housing 102, attachment plate 104, rotation mechanism 106,and afocal optical module 108. While the illustrated mounting mechanism110 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as a quick-detach (QD) type, the mountingmechanism 110 can be any mechanism consistent with this disclosure tomount the afocal adaptor 100 to any other object, structure, and/ormechanism.

In FIG. 2, the rotation mechanism 106 has been exploded into constituentelements. Note that all elements of the rotation mechanism 106 are notnecessarily illustrated. In some implementations, the rotation mechanism106 includes an O-Ring 202, rotation cover 204, wave spring 206,rotation ring 208, and wave spring clamp 210. The described constituentparts of the rotation mechanism 106 are open in their interiors and forman optical path along an axis from the afocal optical module 108,through the rotation mechanism 106, and to the attachment plate 104. Thewave spring 206 has a “wave” in the axial direction, which providesspring pressure when compressed—between the rotation cover 204 and therotation ring 208—and places tension on the rotation ring 208 toincrease the force necessary to rotate the rotation ring 208 on an axiscorresponding to the above-described optical path.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view 400 of an attachment plate mounted to acamera housing 102 according to an implementation. In the illustratedimplementation, the attachment plate 104 is secured to the camerahousing 102 using a plurality of screw fasteners 302. Rotation ringscrew holes 304 are used to secure the rotation ring 208 (notillustrated) to the attachment plate 104 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 foradditional detail). In other implementations, the rotation ring 208 canattach directly to a primary-type camera housing 102 or to an attachmentplate 104 affixed to the primary-type camera housing 102.

In some implementations, the attachment plate 104 surrounds an existingcamera housing 102 optical aperture 306. In other implementations, theattachment plate 104 covers and protects an existing camera housing 102optical aperture 306. In still other implementations, an existing camerahousing 102 optical aperture 306 is removed and the attachment plate 104affixed to the camera housing 102 to form an optical aperture 306. Insome implementations, an O-Ring or other type of seal can be use betweenthe camera housing 102 and the attachment plate 104 to form a sealbetween the camera housing 102 and the attachment plate 104.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view 300 of the exploded view of themountable afocal adaptor of FIG. 2. The rotation mechanism 106 definesand aligns an optical path between the attachment plate 104 and theafocal optical module 108. In some implementations, the illustratedafocal adaptor 100, is assembled as follows: 1) attachment plate 104 isaffixed to the camera housing 102 using the screw-type fasteners 302; 2)wave spring 206 is slipped over the rotation ring 208 to rest againstthe inner surface (refer to FIG. 5 for additional detail) of a lip 402configured on the surface of the rotation ring 208 adjacent to the wavespring clamp 210; 3) rotation ring 208 with installed wave spring 206 isinserted into the rotation cover 204. Wave spring 206 rests againstinner surface 404 of the rotation cover 204; 4) O-ring 202 is placedbetween the surface of the rotation ring 208 adjacent to the attachmentplate 104 and the attachment plate 104 to form a protective seal (e.g.,water, dirt, dust, etc.); 5) rotation ring 208 is affixed to theattachment plate 104 using screw-type fasteners inserted through screwholes 406 and into screw holes 304 in the attachment plate; 6) wavespring clamp 210 is affixed to the afocal optical module 108 using twoscrew-type fasteners inserted through screw holes 408 from the interiorat each corner of the wave spring clamp 210 and into corresponding screwholes (not illustrated—refer to FIG. 5 for additional detail) in theafocal optical module 108. In some implementations, an O-ring or othertype seal (not illustrated) can be placed between the wave spring clamp210 and the afocal optical module 108 to provide a protective seal(e.g., water, dirt, dust, etc.); 7) wave spring clamp 210 is thenaffixed to the rotation housing 204 using one screw-type fastenerinserted through screw holes 410 in the corners of the rotation housing204 and into screw holes 412 in the corners of the wave spring clamp210. In some implementations, the screws from the rotation housing 204pass through the wave spring clamp 210 and into the afocal opticalmodule 108 (refer to FIG. 5 for additional detail). In someimplementations, an O-ring or other type seal can be installed betweenthe rotation housing 204 and the wave spring clamp 210 to provide aprotective seal (e.g., water, dirt, dust, etc.). Variations of theabove-described assembly are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view 500 of the exploded view of themountable afocal adaptor of FIG. 2. Inner surface 502 of lip 402 isillustrated. Wave spring 206 rests against surface 502 when installedover rotation ring 208. Lip 402 rests against the inner surface 504 ofwave spring clamp 210.

Screw holes 506 are illustrated in the afocal optical module 108. Asdescribed above, the screw holes 506 are used to affix the wave springclamp 210 to the afocal optical module 108 and, in some implementations,to affix the rotation housing 204 to the wave spring clamp 210. In someimplementations, the afocal optical module 108 assembly can beconfigured with guide notches/cutouts 508 that can engage with theinterior surface of the wave spring clamp 210 or with structures (notillustrated) formed into the interior edges of the wave spring clamp 210to provide additional stability and/or anti-rotation support to theengagement of the wave spring clamp 210 and the afocal optical module108.

As mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1, the rotation mechanism 106can be configured with an interlock mechanism to allow the camerahousing to be rotated in set angular increments, for exampleninety-degree increments/“clicks” in either rotational direction. Inthis implementation, the interior surface of the wave spring clamp 210can be configured as an interlock surface (e.g., protrusions, bumps,etc.) to function as an interlock detent engaging with an interlockengagement surface associated with the rotation ring 208. In someimplementations, holes 510 can be formed into the inner surface 504 ofthe wave spring clamp 510. Interlock structures (not illustrated) (e.g.,ball bearings or other structures) can be pressed into holes 510 formingthe interlock surface. In some implementations, the interlock structurescan be springily biased by springs (not illustrated) within holes 510 toextend outward from the wave spring clamp 210 in the direction of therotation ring 208 interlock engagement surface (see below).

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a rotation ring of FIG. 4. In someimplementations, the rotation ring 208 surface 604 can be configuredwith one or more holes 602 to form an interlock engagement surface. Whenthe rotation ring 208 interlock engagement surface and the interlocksurface of the wave spring clamp 210 are placed adjacent to each other,the interlock structures affixed to the wave spring clamp 210 engagewith holes 602 when appropriately aligned to form an interlockmechanism. Spring pressure from the wave spring 206 springily biases therotation ring 208 toward the wave spring clamp 210. The spring bias ofthe rotation ring 208 and engagement of the interlock structures withholes 602 of the rotation ring 208 “locks” the orientation of therotation ring 208 (and camera housing 102) to the wave spring clamp 210and restricts rotation of the camera housing 102. When the camerahousing 102 is torqued either clockwise or counter-clockwise, sufficienttorque will overcome the spring bias provided by the wave spring 206,the rotation ring 208 will move within the rotation housing 204 in thedirection of the attachment plate 104 and the rotation ring 208 willdisengage from the interlock structures affixed to wave spring clamp 210The rotation ring 208 can be turned either clockwise orcounter-clockwise until the wave spring clamp 210 interlock structuresengage with the rotation ring 208 interlock engagement surface. In analternate implementation, the wave spring ring 208 is configured withinterlock structures similar to the wave spring clamp 210 while the wavespring clamp 210 is configured with the interlock engagement surface.FIGS. 7A-7D are various views of the afocal adaptor 100 according to theimplementation of FIG. 1. FIG. 7A is a right side view 700 a of themountable afocal adaptor 100 according to an implementation. FIG. 7B isa left side view 700 b of the mountable afocal adaptor 100 according toan implementation. FIG. 7C is a top view 700 c of the mountable afocaladaptor 100 according to an implementation. FIG. 7D is bottom view 700 dof the mountable afocal adaptor 100 according to an implementation.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view 800 of an alternate configuration of amountable afocal adaptor according to an implementation. As illustratedin FIG. 8, the afocal optical module is not stand-alone (as compared tothe afocal optical module of FIG. 1) and is formed of a combination of arotation mechanism 106 including, among other things, opticalredirection-type optics (e.g., prisms and/or mirrors), coupled with anoptical device 802, for example a firearm scope, spotting scope,telescope, and/or night-vision equipment. The rotation mechanism 106 canbe affixed to the optical device 802 in any appropriate manner, forexample using screw-type threads, friction fit, clamps, or otherfastening methods capable of maintaining a secure optical alignmentbetween the rotation mechanism 106 and the optical device 802. In someimplementations, a stability arm 803 can be configured to couple to theoptical device 802 and/or the mounting mechanism 110 to provideadditional optical and/or mechanical stability to the configuration.

In the illustrated configuration, an optical image is received at 804,optically modified by the optical device 802 (e.g., magnified, reduced,etc.), and output at 806. The illustrated rotation mechanism 106 isconfigured with a ninety-degree angle to bend and redirect an opticalimage to the camera housing 102. In some implementations, the opticalimage redirection is accomplished by use of a series of prisms, mirrors,and/or lenses to mirror the optical output at 806 for use by a camera incamera housing 102. For example, in some implementations, the rotationmechanism 106 can include two prisms—one acting as an erector and thesecond acting to flip an image from left to right considering thebackwards mounting orientation of the camera housing 102. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many differentconfigurations of the above-describe components can be constructed toperform functions consistent with this disclosure. Other configurationsof mountable afocal adaptors consistent with the specification areconsidered to be within the scope of specification.

In an alternate implementation, the mountable afocal adaptor can beconfigured to act as a lens attachment for a camera secured by thecamera housing 102. In this implementation, the lens assembly in thecamera is partially or wholly removed and a desired partial or wholelens assembly is mounted to the rotation mechanism 106 to provideappropriate lens assembly functionality for the camera.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mountable afocal adaptor for a camera,comprising: an attachment plate affixed to the front of a camera housingof a camera; an afocal optical module, configured to convert a receivedoptical image to a converted optical image for use by the camera; and arotation mechanism comprising a rotation ring and a wave spring clamp;the rotation ring affixed to the attachment plate and the wave springclamp affixed to the afocal optical module, the rotation ring and wavespring clamp mounted relative to each other to rotate around arotational axis aligned with an axis of an optical path formed betweenthe afocal optical module and the attachment plate and aligned with aview axis of the camera, and the rotation mechanism permitting rotationof the camera housing around the rotational axis relative to the afocaloptical module.
 2. The afocal adaptor of claim 1, comprising a mountingmechanism affixed to the afocal optical module.
 3. The afocal adaptor ofclaim 1, wherein the camera is one of a still-, digital-, or video-typecamera.
 4. The afocal adaptor of claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanismcomprises: a rotation cover; and a wave spring springily biasing therotation ring toward the wave spring clamp.
 5. The afocal adaptor ofclaim 4, wherein the rotation ring is affixed to the attachment platethrough the rotation cover.
 6. The afocal adaptor of claim 4, whereinthe rotation cover is affixed to the wave spring clamp and captures thewave spring and rotation ring.
 7. The afocal adaptor of claim 1,comprising an interlock configured to permit incremental rotation of thecamera housing on the rotational axis.
 8. The afocal adaptor of claim 1,wherein the wave spring clamp is configured with an interlock surfaceand the rotation ring is configured with an interlock engagement surfacethat engages with the interlock surface to lock an orientation of therotation ring.
 9. The afocal adaptor of claim 1, wherein the afocaloptical module is configured to magnify and reduce a received opticalimage field-of-view into a reduced optical image field-of-view for useby the camera.
 10. The afocal adaptor of claim 1, wherein the camerahousing is a primary housing.
 11. A mountable afocal adaptor for acamera having a rotation mechanism comprising a rotation ring and a wavespring clamp; the rotation ring affixed to an attachment plate affixedto the front of a camera housing of a camera and the wave spring clampaffixed to an afocal optical module, the rotation ring and wave springclamp mounted relative to each other to rotate around a rotational axisaligned with an axis of an optical path formed between the afocaloptical module and the attachment plate and aligned with a view axis ofthe camera, and the rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the camerahousing around the rotational axis relative to the afocal opticalmodule.
 12. The afocal adaptor of claim 11, wherein the wave springclamp is configured with an interlock surface and the rotation ring isconfigured with an interlock engagement surface that engages with theinterlock surface to lock an orientation of the rotation ring.
 13. Theafocal adaptor of claim 11, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises: arotation cover; and a wave spring springily biasing the rotation ringtoward the wave spring clamp.
 14. The afocal adaptor of claim 11 havingan interlock configured to permit incremental rotation of the camerahousing on the rotational axis.
 15. The afocal adaptor of claim 11,wherein the afocal optical module transmits a magnified and reducedfield-of-view for the optical image along the optical path.
 16. A methodfor providing a mountable afocal adaptor for a camera, comprising:recording an optical image received by an afocal optical module, theoptical image recorded in a first orientation when a camera housing isrotated into a first position, the afocal optical module having arotation mechanism comprising a rotation ring and a wave spring clamp;the rotation ring affixed to an attachment plate affixed to the front ofthe camera housing of a camera and the wave spring clamp affixed to anafocal optical module, the rotation ring and wave spring clamp mountedrelative to each other to rotate around a rotational axis aligned withan axis of an optical path formed between the afocal optical module andthe attachment plate and aligned with a view axis of the camera, and therotation mechanism permitting rotation of the camera housing around therotational axis relative to the afocal optical module.; and recording anoptical image in a second orientation when the camera housing is rotatedinto a second position.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprisingrestricting rotation of the camera housing between the first orientationand the second orientation according to a set angular increment on therotational axis using an interlock.
 18. The method of claim 16,comprising receiving the optical image from the afocal optical module,the optical image magnified and reduced in field-of-view in comparisonto the optical image received by the afocal optical module.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, comprising rotating the camera housing according toa set angular increment on the rotational axis.
 20. The method of claim16, comprising mounting the afocal optical module to an accessory railusing a mounting mechanism affixed to the afocal optical module.